This morning from 0920-1030 hrs along the outer part of Ediz Hook, near the public restroom, I parked my vehicle and closely watched at 20 ft the following birds using an informal "bird feeder" that has been maintained for a year or more at one location by an elderly, local man (in an old, red pickup) atop the low boulder-revetments that line (and secure) the northern, seaward part of the spit (and road). Each day or two he apparently puts out more milo seed and water for the birds; however, the main beneficiaries at this somewhat barren location are a semi-resident group of some 30 House Sparrows. I first noted the site a year or more ago and alerted others when sanderlings were noted eating the seed along with the sparrows.

Today I noted some other species as well. At 1030 hrs, the bird man himself arrived, and I was able to watch him put out fresh water and scatter around about 2 lbs of milo seed. He didn't act particularly friendly and scowled as though I was in his parking spot, so after weighing the pros and cons of striking up a conversation (to let get around to letting him know how ignorant he was), I let it all go and simply moved on. However, note the snow bunting. It came and went about three times in the hour I closely observed the site. The dunlin appeared on only one occasion (feeding bout) with the sanderlings, which came and went (suddenly whirled away) at least four times.

No. observed
Sanderling ~30
Black Turnstone 6
Dunlin 1
House Sparrow ~30
Starling 1
Snow Bunting 1
Gull* 3
Mallard* 2

*Asterisks denote species within 20 ft of site but not obs. eating the seed; all the others pecked at the seed in varying amounts.